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Saturday, August 08, 2015

Maruti Suzuki to bring Baleno sedan in a New Avatar

Maruti Suzuki's Baleno sedan may have been ahead of time in 1999, but its re-entry into the Indian market in 2015 in a new avatar of premium hatchback could not have come at a better time. The premium hatchback Codenamed YRA, will be now officially called Baleno and will be hitting the Indian market in the upcoming festive season and take on the likes of Hyundai Elite i20 and Honda Jazz. These models are finding at least 15000 buyers every month, who are willing to pay a price of Rs 7 lakh to Rs 10 lakh for a premium hatchback, when there are ample options available in compact sedan and SUV space, something that the buyers of the past would have automatically chosen.

Pitted to the biggest launch of FY-16 from Maruti Suzuki, the Baleno will play a critical role in the company's 2020 vision and will be a key part of company's premium NEXA outlets. Baleno which means 'Flash' in Italian was a mere flash in the pan in the Indian market when it was launched, but with this new hatchback Maruti Suzuki wants to create a flash in the crowded hatchback space, said a company official.

The YRA hatchback will be premiered at the upcoming 66th Frankurt Motor Show in September as Suzuki Baleno and it will be produced out of its Indian manufacturing base. "The product has a huge significance for Maruti Suzuki as it will be by far the best vehicle made the company and in a way new face of the company. Baleno and Nexa story are not currently understood, but it is going to be a big factor in Maruti Suzuki's vision of 2 million and 2020," said a company official.